Just testing a new PC which is networked downstairs and uses the other as a common internet connection. Also stuck a Toshiba 320 Gig hard drive on it as it only has 80.
It’s a Packard Bell bought cheaply from PC World as the box only with a 3 Ghtz Pentium 4 and 256 Mb memory – to upgrade later!
This note from MS Word using the Blogger plugin.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Norfolk Break
Took a few days down on the north Norfolk coast last week (Tues-Fri). Stayed in the Lifeboat Inn at Thorneham for our third visit in 4 years. Weather was brilliant for October with thursday being like a summers day! The photo bottom left is a lovely strech of deserted coast between Thorneham and Wells. It was totally quiet and teemed with wildlife - notably Lesser Egrets and a Marsh Harrier.The image of the old boat wreck was taken on last years' visit and is still there. We visited Hunstanton again, as last year, when I took the seascape (top)after a spot of "unsettled" weather.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Mr Gates's Browser
Although it seems Microsoft is slowly taking over the world, I think that most of it's application software is pretty decent, if a little bloated at times. Non-Microsoft web browsers are a good chance to loosen Bill's stranglehold a touch, and I've used Firefox and Avant Browser (which I preferred) until yesterday.
I'm now an Opera fan. I didn't realise what a following this thing had until I subscribed to its'community. There's even a blog site and photo galleries, you can copy your Blogger blog across as well.
Opera is also very customable(?) with score of skins avilable, uploaded by the loyal followers. An interesting addition (download) is the "Voice". Voice can read paragraphs of text and you can easily browse to other sites with voice commands. So I'll be spending some time with the Opera fraternity feeling a little more comfortable that WHG doesn't quite yet run my entire life!
I'm now an Opera fan. I didn't realise what a following this thing had until I subscribed to its'community. There's even a blog site and photo galleries, you can copy your Blogger blog across as well.
Opera is also very customable(?) with score of skins avilable, uploaded by the loyal followers. An interesting addition (download) is the "Voice". Voice can read paragraphs of text and you can easily browse to other sites with voice commands. So I'll be spending some time with the Opera fraternity feeling a little more comfortable that WHG doesn't quite yet run my entire life!
Monday, October 17, 2005
It's My Birthday
..........and just to celebrate, I'll remind meself what I was like at the age of about 8. That's me with Dad and we're looking at the view from the top of Box Hill - a local beauty spot in Surrey. We used to go from Sheffield and visit my Auntie Mary & Uncle Frank who lived there. So that photo was taken about 1952.
Wish I'd kept that snake belt - It'd fetch a fortune on Ebay!
Saturday, October 15, 2005
A Picasa Test
Hey......that's impressive! I've just installed Picasa software (Google) and it scanned all me PC for images, grouped them by date and displayed them in the groups. Just hit the "Blog This " button and it uploads piccies straight onto here after a log-in.You can run slide shows, edit images, burn Cd's, search, sort and do all sorts of wonderful things.......... and it's freeee!
The image is from a recent trip to The Lake District and this is Derwentwater near Keswick, not much sun but that didn't matter.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The Chesterfield Canal
CHESTERFIELD CANAL. from "Priestley's Navigable Rivers and Canals"
11 George III. Cap. 7.5, Royal Assent 28th March, 1771.
THIS canal commences in the tideway of the Trent, at Stockwith, in Nottinghamshire, near to the place where the navigable River Idle falls into it, about four miles below Gainsborough. Its course is nearly west for six miles, passing round to the north of Gringley Beacon, whence it pursues a southerly course, to East Retford; thence, westward, by Worksop, to Shire Oaks, where it enters the county of York; when passing south of the village of Wales, and entering Derbyshire, it proceeds, in a southerly course, along the east bank of the River Rother, through a country abounding in coal, to Chesterfield, where it terminates. Its length is forty-six miles. From the Trent to Worksop it is twenty-four miles, with a rise of 250 feet; from thence, to the summit, at the tunnel near Harthill, nine miles, with a rise of 85 feet, being a total rise of 335 feet From the summit to Chesterfield, the distance is thirteen miles, with a fall of 45 feet. The number of locks is sixty-five. Between Wales and Harthill there is a tunnel two thousand eight hundred and fifty yards in length; it is in width 9¼ feet, and 12 feet high. Near Gringley Beacon is another tunnel one hundred and fifty-three yards in length. Between the long tunnel and Chesterfield, many individuals have laid down private railways, for the purpose of transporting the production of the mines and iron-works in that district.
This navigation was projected by Mr. Brindley, in 1769, but before any application was made to parliament for authority to carry it into execution, Mr. Grundy was directed to view the intended line of canal, upon which he reported in August, 1770. His proposal was to carry the line of canal from Stockwith, in nearly a straight course, to Bawtry, and from thence, by Scrooby, Blyth, and Carlton, and to join Brindley's line at the Shire Oaks.
Mr. Brindley's estimate was £94,908, 17s. and the length, according to the original plan made by Mr. Varley, is forty-four miles, six furlongs and eight chains and a half, and Grundy's estimate, by his proposed alteration, is £71,479, 6s. 9½d. being less by £23,429, 10s. 2½d. and shorter by nearly five miles and a half; yet, notwithstanding the apparent advantages of Grundy's line, such confidence had the proposed company in Brindley's designs, that they applied to parliament and obtained an act to enable them to carry his scheme into execution; it is entitled, 'An Act for making a navigable Cut or Canal from Chesterfield, in the county of Derby, through or near Worksop and Retford, to join the River Trent, at or near Stockwith, in the county of Nottingham.' The proprietors, at the time the act was obtained, consisted of one hundred and seventy-four persons, amongst whom were the Most Noble the Dukes of Devonshire and Newcastle, Lord Scarsdale, the Dean of York, and Sir Cecil Wray, Bart. who were incorporated by the name of" The Company of Proprietors of the Canal Navigation from Chesterfield to the River Trent," and empowered to raise among themselves the sum of £100,000, in one thousand shares of £100 each, for the purpose of carrying the same into execution, but the canal was not to be begun until the whole sum was raised; and in case the above sum was insufficient, they might raise among themselves, or by the admission of new subscribers, or by mortgage of the rates and duties, the additional sum of £50,000. The work to be managed by a committee, under the control of the general assembly. The act, which is very long, contains many clauses for the protection of private property; particularly such as belong to the Dukes of Norfolk and Leeds, and Lord Byron. Immediately on the passing of the act, the works were commenced, under the direction of Mr. Brindley, and so continued until his death, in September, 1772, when they were conducted and finished by Mr. Henshall, his brother-in-law, in 1776. From the Trent to Retford, the canal is constructed for vessels of fifty to sixty tons burthen; the remaining portion is for such as carry about twenty tons only.
11 George III. Cap. 7.5, Royal Assent 28th March, 1771.
THIS canal commences in the tideway of the Trent, at Stockwith, in Nottinghamshire, near to the place where the navigable River Idle falls into it, about four miles below Gainsborough. Its course is nearly west for six miles, passing round to the north of Gringley Beacon, whence it pursues a southerly course, to East Retford; thence, westward, by Worksop, to Shire Oaks, where it enters the county of York; when passing south of the village of Wales, and entering Derbyshire, it proceeds, in a southerly course, along the east bank of the River Rother, through a country abounding in coal, to Chesterfield, where it terminates. Its length is forty-six miles. From the Trent to Worksop it is twenty-four miles, with a rise of 250 feet; from thence, to the summit, at the tunnel near Harthill, nine miles, with a rise of 85 feet, being a total rise of 335 feet From the summit to Chesterfield, the distance is thirteen miles, with a fall of 45 feet. The number of locks is sixty-five. Between Wales and Harthill there is a tunnel two thousand eight hundred and fifty yards in length; it is in width 9¼ feet, and 12 feet high. Near Gringley Beacon is another tunnel one hundred and fifty-three yards in length. Between the long tunnel and Chesterfield, many individuals have laid down private railways, for the purpose of transporting the production of the mines and iron-works in that district.
This navigation was projected by Mr. Brindley, in 1769, but before any application was made to parliament for authority to carry it into execution, Mr. Grundy was directed to view the intended line of canal, upon which he reported in August, 1770. His proposal was to carry the line of canal from Stockwith, in nearly a straight course, to Bawtry, and from thence, by Scrooby, Blyth, and Carlton, and to join Brindley's line at the Shire Oaks.
Mr. Brindley's estimate was £94,908, 17s. and the length, according to the original plan made by Mr. Varley, is forty-four miles, six furlongs and eight chains and a half, and Grundy's estimate, by his proposed alteration, is £71,479, 6s. 9½d. being less by £23,429, 10s. 2½d. and shorter by nearly five miles and a half; yet, notwithstanding the apparent advantages of Grundy's line, such confidence had the proposed company in Brindley's designs, that they applied to parliament and obtained an act to enable them to carry his scheme into execution; it is entitled, 'An Act for making a navigable Cut or Canal from Chesterfield, in the county of Derby, through or near Worksop and Retford, to join the River Trent, at or near Stockwith, in the county of Nottingham.' The proprietors, at the time the act was obtained, consisted of one hundred and seventy-four persons, amongst whom were the Most Noble the Dukes of Devonshire and Newcastle, Lord Scarsdale, the Dean of York, and Sir Cecil Wray, Bart. who were incorporated by the name of" The Company of Proprietors of the Canal Navigation from Chesterfield to the River Trent," and empowered to raise among themselves the sum of £100,000, in one thousand shares of £100 each, for the purpose of carrying the same into execution, but the canal was not to be begun until the whole sum was raised; and in case the above sum was insufficient, they might raise among themselves, or by the admission of new subscribers, or by mortgage of the rates and duties, the additional sum of £50,000. The work to be managed by a committee, under the control of the general assembly. The act, which is very long, contains many clauses for the protection of private property; particularly such as belong to the Dukes of Norfolk and Leeds, and Lord Byron. Immediately on the passing of the act, the works were commenced, under the direction of Mr. Brindley, and so continued until his death, in September, 1772, when they were conducted and finished by Mr. Henshall, his brother-in-law, in 1776. From the Trent to Retford, the canal is constructed for vessels of fifty to sixty tons burthen; the remaining portion is for such as carry about twenty tons only.
RATES OF TONNAGE AND WHARFAGE.
Lime 1d per Ton, per Mile.
Coal, Lead, Timber, Stone, and all other Goods, Wares and Merchandize 1½d ditto ditto.
Soap, Ashes, Salt, Salt-scrow, Foul Salt, and Grey Salt, Soot, Bone-dust, Pigeons' Dung, Rape or Cole Seed Dust, to be used for the manuring of Lands of any Persons, whose Lands shall be Cut through by this Canal, such Lands being in any Township through which it passes, and Rags or Tanners' Bark ½d ditto ditto.
EXEMPTION FROM TOLL.
Hay, and Corn in the Straw, not sold, but to be laid up in the Outhouses of the Owner; Small Rubbish or Waste Stones, Gravel and Sand for the repair of Roads, (not being Turnpike) in any Township through which the Canal passes, and which shall not be carried more than Five Miles.
Dung, Soil, Marl, Ashes of Coal and Turf, for the Improvement of Lands lying in any Township through which the Canal will pass, and belonging to Persons whose Lands may be taken for the Canal, provided these excepted Articles do not pass a Lock, except when the Water is running over the Gauge or Niche of the Lock.
If any Iron, Iron-stone, Coals, Lime for the Improvement of Lands, or other Goods whatsoever, remain on the Wharfs longer than Twenty-four Hours, then such additional Rate to be paid as may be agreed upon.
Fifty Feet of Round, or Forty Feet of Square Oak, Ash, or Elm Timber, or Fifty Feet of Fir, or Deal, Balk, Poplar, and other Timber Wood, shall be deemed One Ton.
A Ton of Coal or Limestone to be Twenty-two Hundred Weight of One Hundred and Twelve Pounds each.
Vessels under Twenty Tons not to pass Locks without leave unless they pay for that Weight.
RATE,
To be received by any Lord of the Manor or Owner of Land who may erect Wharfs.
For every description of Goods or Merchandize for a period less than Six Days 3 per Ton.
Up to the year 1789, the whole of the works had cost about £152,400, and the following is a statemeat of the income and expenditure of that year:-
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.
£.s.d.
The Gross Income in that Year, was £8,320. 9s. 6d
Expenditure, which included Interest to the Amount of £2,670, exclusive of Arrears £5,540 9s. 3d.
Nett Income £2,780 0s. 3d.
Upon which a Dividend of One per Cent. only was paid, amounting to £990.
A tolerable idea of the traffic upon this canal, at that period, (forty years ago) may be formed, from the following return of tonnage made by the proprietors, in 1789.
RETURN OF TONNAGE.
Tons.
Coal 42,379½
Lead 3,862¼
Lime 3,955¼
Corn 4,366¼
Stone 7,569¾
Iron 1,554½
Timber 3,444¼
Sundries 7,180¼
tot. 74,312 Tons
Upon which the Duties and wharfage amounted to £8,303 9s. 6d.
Sixteen years after this period the proprietors divided six per cent, and the undertaking has been gradually improving.
The chief objects of this canal are the export of coal, lime, and lead from Derbyshire, and, of the produce of the iron furnaces in the neighbourhood of Chesterfield; and corn, deals, timber, groceries, &c. on the other hand, are conveyed into the county of Derby.
Lead 3,862¼
Lime 3,955¼
Corn 4,366¼
Stone 7,569¾
Iron 1,554½
Timber 3,444¼
Sundries 7,180¼
tot. 74,312 Tons
Upon which the Duties and wharfage amounted to £8,303 9s. 6d.
Sixteen years after this period the proprietors divided six per cent, and the undertaking has been gradually improving.
The chief objects of this canal are the export of coal, lime, and lead from Derbyshire, and, of the produce of the iron furnaces in the neighbourhood of Chesterfield; and corn, deals, timber, groceries, &c. on the other hand, are conveyed into the county of Derby.
Whitsunday Pie Lock
Whitsunday Pie Lock is the highest wide lock on the Chesterfield CanalThis lock was said to have got its name because a local woman baked a huge pie one Whit Sunday for the navvies who had just completed the lock. However, some recently discovered maps spoil this good old story by showing a Whitsunday Pie field. The maps were drawn centuries before the canal existed!
Walk RRC 188 - Retford/Hayton
Enjoyed an interesting walk from Retford to Hayton and back along the Chesterfield Canal. Six miles total, stopping at the Boat Inn for lunch alongside the canal and another swift half at the Gate Inn on the way back. Eleven in the group plus two dogs (Bob's). Set off at 10:45 and finished around 15:15. Weather sunny and breezy.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Today - grey and raining, tomorrow walking with the monthly RRC group - our turn to lead - Retford & Hayton, from "Rambles in North Nottinghamshire" p.76. Total length 6 miles, about 1/3 of which is by the Chesterfield Canal. Map ref SK 720818. Weather forecast is fine and sunny! Might bring a piccy or 2 back to post.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Just signed up on Flickr
Hey!! it worked............
Well there's no stopping this bloke now, linked to Flickr so I can spend the winter evenings uploading zillions of totally gob-smacking images to win all those accolades from admiring Bloggers world-wide. Although having sifted through some Flickr stuff there's a bit of competition out there. Any way I can't stop too long here as me other half has given me a list to complete before I can enjoy any more monitor-gaping.
Well there's no stopping this bloke now, linked to Flickr so I can spend the winter evenings uploading zillions of totally gob-smacking images to win all those accolades from admiring Bloggers world-wide. Although having sifted through some Flickr stuff there's a bit of competition out there. Any way I can't stop too long here as me other half has given me a list to complete before I can enjoy any more monitor-gaping.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
It's my first time..!
Had a hell of a fight to get on here - that Mr Blogger wouldn't allow about 543 of my suggestions before we agreed. The site name came from severe frustration after gazing around the room for inspiration, and there on the shelf was a set of training CD's for Visual Basic, Mr Blogger let me have that without a fight.
I've also set up my first website this week at www.seejayessphotography.co.uk which seemed to take far less effort!
I've been inspired to start up here from accidently stumbling across my daughter's site - The Electric Biscuit - a name which also suggests that she went 3 rounds with that Blogger bloke. I have no idea how this will develop so I'll just let things hang loose and go with the flow..
I've also set up my first website this week at www.seejayessphotography.co.uk which seemed to take far less effort!
I've been inspired to start up here from accidently stumbling across my daughter's site - The Electric Biscuit - a name which also suggests that she went 3 rounds with that Blogger bloke. I have no idea how this will develop so I'll just let things hang loose and go with the flow..
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